Everest marathon to mark Diamond Jubilee of climbing of Everest

To mark the 60th diamond jubilee anniversary of first human ascent on the top of the world, the Mount Everest, two special marathons each of 42.2 km and 60 km will be organized on May 29, from the Everest Base Camp.Himalaya Expeditions has been organizing the Tenzing-Hillary Everest Marathon every year on May 29, the day Tenzing Sherpa and Edmund Hillary scaled Mt Everest for the first time. The marathon, which starts from the Everest Base Camp, is said to be the highest marathon in the world.

According to coordinator of the organizing committee Bikram Pandey, 96 foreign athletes have already registered for the marathon and many others have contacted them for participation. "We are expecting participation of around 130 foreign athletes and 60 Nepalis in the marathon," said Pandey.

Bikram Pandey (L), President of Himalaya Expedition, speaks at a press meet in Bhrikutimandap.(Photo:Dipesh Shrestha)

Likewise, seven ultra-runners have already registered their names for the 60-km race and some more are expected to join later. "The 60-km marathon is part of the diamond jubilee celebrations," said Pandey.

The marathon carries a cash prize of Rs 100,000 for the winner of open category and Rs 70,000 for the runner-up. Likewise, the winner of foreign category will receive Rs 50,000 while the runner-up will get Rs 30,000. In the women´s section too, the winner will bag Rs 50,000 and the runner-up will get Rs 30,000.Address the press meet, Mr. Guy Harrison, Charge de Affaire of British Embassy in Kathmandu said that the diamond jubilee of climbing on Everest held special place in the annals of British history as it coincided with diamond jubilee of accession of Queen Elizabeth II. Ms. Lisa Choegyal, New Zealand Honoary Consul to Nepal also spoke about the affinity of New Zealand as Sir Edmund Hillary was from there.

Homestay training concludes in Bhaktapur

The training was run with an objective of providing necessary information for the operation of homestay facilities at Nagarkot, a tourism hub of Bhaktapur.

The training was organised by the Nagarkot Community Homestay Rural Tourism Management Committee with the help of Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), Bhrikutimandap, technical support of the Eco-Tourism Society and participation of the Nagarkot VDC Office, RSS reported. The training was provided to locals of Banstola village at Nagarkot-2,

Chairman of the Committee, Suraj Banskota, told RSS that the training was provided to villagers as they are to operate the first home-stay facility formally in Bhaktapur from the Nepali new year 2070 BS.

He said infrastructure has been prepared to keep 23 tourists at 13 houses of the village for the same.

A total of 28 people including 18 women participated in the training where different information about language, housekeeping, garbage management, welcoming guests and providing food were provided.

A cultural team has been formed for Khaijadi Bhajan, Ghanse songs, Teej songs prepared for welcoming tourists.

Bhaktapur prepares for Bisket Jatra

Bisket Jatra festival has begun in the ancient town of Bhaktapur from April 10.

The Bisket Jatra is a famous festival with cultural and historical significance which commences with the start of the Nepali New Year, every year. It is celebrated for eight nights and nine days.

The Bisket Jatra is among the many cultural and religious festivals celebrated in the country.

On the first day of the festival, the chief deity, Bhairavnath, and the Betal deity are installed on a three-storey temple built in the Pagoda style mounted on a chariot. This chariot is then towed from the premises of the Five-storey Temple to the ancient Thane (Upper) and the Kwane (Lower) streets of the town. The festival formally commences with the pulling of the chariots of the Bhairavnath and the Bhadrakali deities.

The date and timing of the Bisket Jatra festival is determined as per the solar calendar. This festival has been celebrated since the time of the Lichchhavi period. The festival gets its name from the two words Bi Sit in the Nepal Bhasa language which translates as 'the snake is dead'.

Fewa New Year Festival begins Thursday

Fewa New Year Festival 2013 has begun from April 11 at Bashundhara Park in Pokhara. The festival, organized by the Western Regional Hotel Association (WRHA), will last till April 15.

“We have organized the expo to celebrate Nepali New Year with a blast like the English one and to attract domestic as well as international tourists to Pokhara during the New Year,” said Bikal Tulachan, the coordinator of the festival. He added that the festival also aims to spread the message of preserving Fewa Lake, the famous tourist attraction in the Western Nepali city.

The festival has 10 food stalls serving local and international cuisines and 45 other stalls exhibiting agro and various other products.

The festival also has a children´s park and will showcase different cultural dances, Nepali folk songs and various entertaining programs.

“The main aim of this festival is to promote domestic tourism in Pokhara,” said WRHA President Hari Sharma, adding that the preparation for the festival is complete.

Sharma said domestic tourists will get special discounts on food and accommodation during the festival. Hotels associated with the association will be providing 30 percent discount on accommodation and 10 percent discount on food, according to Sharma.

“We will be strictly monitoring discounts on room rates and food offered by hotels,” said Sharma.

SSB contingent leaves for Everest mission

A 10-member team from Sashastra Suraksha Bal ( SSB ) of India flew to Lukla on April 6 to climb the world’s tallest mountain Mt Everest.

A flag off ceremony was organised for the SSB Everest Expedition team in Kathmandu on April 5. Team leader of the expedition Commandant Somit Joshi, addressing the function, said the SSBcontingent was conquering the Everest to commemorate the 50th anniversary of SSB coinciding with the 60th Everest Diamond Jubilee Anniversary of climbing Everest by Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and Sir Edmund Hillary.

Abiding by the newly introduced Everest Climb, Clean and Run (ECCR) concept, the team plans to bring their own garbage on return from the summit and run the world’s highest marathon—Tenzing Hillary Everest Marathon—on May 29. “We don’t want to pollute Everest. So we will be bringing all wastes back to Namche for disposal. It is our social responsibility as global citizens,” he said.

The expedition is being handled by Himalaya Expeditions. “Our objective is to make them feel that they too are part of the Himalaya system. Therefore, it becomes their integral ecological duty to clean the mountain they climb,” said Bikram Pandey, a tourism entrepreneur.

Running the Everest marathon is another milestone for the SSBteam to excel in adventure sports, said Pandey.

“We encourage Everest climbers to climb the mountain, clean the garbage at the same time and thus leave the world’s tallest peak clean, fresh and pristine for posterity,” Pandey said, adding that this is the best gift that mankind can give to their future generations.

Nepal participated in COTTM, Beijing, China

Nepal tourism board along with 13 private companies from Nepal participated in 9th edition of the China Outbound Travel and Tourism Market (COTTM) , Beijing from 9-11 April 2013.The programme venue was National Agriculture Exhibition Centre, Beijing. The only business to business outbound travel and tourism event was organized by Tarsus Travel Exhibitions.

The participating companies from Nepal were Aarya Village Travels, Fishtail Tours and Travels, Global Asia Tours and Travels , Jyapu Tours and Travels, Kudan Travels and Tours, My Nepal Adventure Tours and Travels, Nepal Social Tours and Travels, S& T Holidays, Sea& Sky Tours and Travels, Shuang Qui Tours , The Everest Hotel, Tourism Nepal and Travel World Experiences.Nepali stall was decorated with pagoda style and attracted many visitors. The. Stall was one of the key attraction at the exhibition hall. As per the information provided by organizer 60 Countries and235 jExhibitor participating in the 3 days fair.

As per recent report published by UNWTO Chinese tourists are world's biggest spending traveller and it has been forecast total outbound tourist will reach 93 million by 2013 is the main source of market for Nepal also.

According to information a number of Chinese to Nepal outbound travel agencies still find it difficult to make reservation for air tickets as well as hotel accommodation during peak season .

Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) has sought to ensure that the contents of this newsletter are accurate at the time of transmission. NTB does not accept responsibility for any damage, loss, injury or inconvenience arising in connection with the contents of this newsletter.
Nepal Tourism Board wishes to thank all stakeholders for their wonderful support and assistance for promoting Nepal as a happening destination. We request all tourism industry stakeholders to send us news and articles at mediacenter@ntb.org.np , ssubedi@ntb.org.np or ntbmediacenter@gmail.com to include them in the weekly E-newsletters.